Dereck Whittenburg
Dereck Whittenburg is an American collegiate sports administrator and former basketball player. As a shooting guard at NC State, he was a key member of the Wolfpack team that won the 1983 NCAA Championship under coach Jim Valvano . Whittenburg went on to coach college basketball (including head coach positions at Wagner and Fordham) and is now an associate athletic director at NC State, focusing on community relations and student support . His storied career in basketball, both on the court and on the sidelines, has cemented him as an NC State legend.
Panel: Principles of Excellence that Transcend Industries
The core principles that drive excellence—discipline, resilience, vision, and leadership—are not confined to a single profession. This dynamic panel brings together accomplished individuals from the worlds of athletics, entrepreneurship, and executive leadership to uncover the universal traits that define elite performance.
This session is a powerful reminder that true excellence is not limited by industry—it’s defined by the principles we live by and the impact we make.
Attendees will gain insight into:
- Transferrable Excellence: How mindset, preparation, and execution fuel success across disciplines.
- Team Dynamics: What leaders can learn from sports about building trust, communication, and shared accountability.
- Legacy and Impact: How mentorship, community service, and servant leadership create value beyond individual achievements.
Moderated by Dereck Whittenburg, this conversation will explore how the same principles that lead to victory on the field or court are being applied in boardrooms, startups, and communities.
